Ruben Amorim will be in the dugout for the first time as Manchester United boss against Ipswich Town this afternoon with plenty for the Portuguese head coach to consider for his Premier League debut.
United’s injury problems have begun to ease up just in time for the new head coach with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia back in full training, pushing for their returns having not played a minute of first-team football this season.
The pair trained again this week under the new coach but it remains to be seen if they are fit enough to play a substantial role in the trip to Portman Road.
Summer signing Leny Yoro has also recovered from the fractured metatarsal he suffered in what was just his second appearance for the club in pre-season could be in contention to make his debut this weekend.
Kobbie Mainoo is also back in training after his recent thigh problem having not featured since the goalless draw with Aston Villa in October. Mason Mount was also back in action in clips that were shared from Carrington on Monday.
Harry Maguire remains unavailable however as he recovers from his recent knock while there was also concern for Lisandro Martinez, who was sent home from international duty with Argentina ahead of schedule with a back problem.
The centre-half will face a late fitness test but could return to a back three along with Jonny Evans and Matthijs de Ligt.
The biggest question over Amorim’s team will be whether he immediately switches to a 3-4-3 formation, his preferred system which delivered success at Sporting in Portugal.
Monday’s training session suggested his side will be deployed with three at the back, and Amorim hinted further that he is likely to start with defensively-minded players at wing-back rather than moving wingers further back.
‘I don’t want to say too much, but you have to use both because you have different games,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘We should start with full-backs because to teach a winger to defend is harder.’
How United could line up this weekend.
Amad Diallo will be hopeful of keeping his spot in the side after shining in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final two games in charge but the 22-year-old may find himself starting from the bench on Sunday.
Manuel Ugarte, meanwhile, who returned late from international duty on Wednesday morning, could be parachuted straight into the team given his previous experience with Amorim at Sporting Lisbon.
Predicted Man Utd XI to face Ipswich
Onana, de Ligt, Evans, Martinez, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dalot, Rashford, Fernandes, Hojlund
Where to watch Ipswich vs Man Utd? Kick-off time and TV channel
Ipswich vs Man Utd kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 24 November.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with live streaming available through Sky Go and NOW TV for subscribers.
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